Unit 8 Customs Procedures and Regulations Development

8.1 Pre-Text Assignments

8.1.1 Practice the reading of the following words and guess their meaning:

responsible identify guideline intergovernmental circulation amendment traffic seize adoption application ensure attain uniformity antiquity competence draft

8.1.2 Check up the meaning of the following verbs:

prepare propose secure establish recommend Interprete address emphasize

8.1.3 Read the following words and their translation:

secure – обеспечить

attain – достигать

draft – черновик, проект

amendment – поправка

interpretation – толкование

application – практическое применение

intergovernmental – межправительственный

as regards – что касается

fraud – мошенничество

theft – кража

illicit – незаконный

mutual – двусторонний, обоюдный

combat – бороться

8.2 Read the text and translate it using the dictionary

Text A

World Customs Organization

Customs officers are responsible for ensuring that imported and exported goods are properly identified, and seized if stolen or smuggled. The functions and legal powers of customs agencies vary from country to country. In 1950 the Customs Cooperation Council (now the World Customs Organization, or WCO) was established to secure "the highest degree of harmony and uniformity in

customs systems."

The functions of the WCO include:

1) proposing practical means of attaining this goal; preparing draft conventions and amendments to conventions and recommending their adoption by interested governments;

2) making recommendations to ensure the uniform interpretation and application of conventions;

3) ensuring the circulation of information regarding customs regulations and procedures;

4) providing information or advice on customs matters to interested governments;

5) cooperating with other intergovernmental organizations as regards matters within its competence.

The illicit traffic in cultural objects was one of the issues addressed by the Nairobi Convention of 1977 on Mutual Administrative Assistance for the Prevention, Investigation, and Repression of Customs Offences. The growth in cases of smuggling, fraud and theft involving works of art and antiquities invited members of the organization "to develop mutual administrative assistance in combating smuggling and other fraud involving works of art and antiquities," and

emphasized the importance of "cooperation with the International Criminal Police organization (INTERPOL) and with the other authorities and organizations concerned."

The State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation also welcomed the initiative, and saw it as important for preventing the illegal import and export of cultural objects. The development of international guidelines, which will deal with the protection of cultural heritage of each nation, will improve the quality of cooperation among Customs Administrations in the field of combating illegal cross-border trade with these cultural objects. (1700 symbols)

8.2.1 Answer the following questions:

1) What are customs officers responsible for?

2) What is the World Customs Organization?

3) When was it founded?

4) What are its main functions?

5) Is the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation the member of the WCO? If it is so, then prove it by the facts from the text.

6) Why are the illicit traffic of cultural objects are so important for the members of the WCO?

8.2.2 Give English equivalents of the following collocations:

культурное наследие, незаконная торговля, приветствовать инициативу, предотвратить нелегальный ввоз, важность сотрудничества, достижение цели

8.2.3 Match the words and their explanation (one item has been done for you):

illicit(adj) a. an act of deceitful behavior for the purpose of gain, which may be punishable by law

heritage (n) b. the main points about something which is to be dealt with

draft (n) c. the act of stealing

guideline (n) d. something which is passed down over many years within a family or nation

fraud(n) e. against a law or a rule

theft(n) f. a rough plan

mutual(adj) g. equally shared by each one

8.3 Scan through the text and try to translate it using the dictionary

Text B

Australia And Lebanon Strengthen Ability To Fight Money Laundering And Terrorist Financing

Australia and Lebanon have agreed to exchange financial intelligence to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, further expanding the international financial intelligence network, the Minister for Justice and Customs, announced today.

“Signing this memorandum of understanding is another important step in the establishment of an international network to uncover the financing of crime and terrorism, money laundering and other serious crimes, and complements the strong relationship already in place between the two countries' enforcement agencies,” one of the officials said.

This is the 21st such agreement signed by Australia and the 10th established this year. Australia already has agreements with Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Guernsey, Korea, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the USA, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

The agreements will have a significant impact on the identification and

investigation of criminal activity.

The Minister for Justice and Customs noted that Australia had also recently enacted regulations under the Extradition Act 1988 which declare Lebanon to be an extradition country. The regulations were made on a non-treaty basis and allow Australia to receive and consider extradition requests from Lebanon. (1200 symbols)

8.3.1 Say whether the following statements are true or false:

1) Australia and Latvia have agreed to exchange financial intelligence to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

2) This is the 21st such agreement signed by Australia and the 11th established this year.

3) Australia already has agreements with Belgium, Canada, Denmark.

4) The purpose of this memorandum is to establish an international network to uncover the financing of crime and terrorism and money laundering

5) The agreements has already had a significant impact on the identification and investigation of criminal activity.

8 .4 Grammar Assignments

8.4.1 Fill in the verbs given in brackets in the suitable forms:

1) If you _____to begin with going through the customs, you’d better fill in the customs declaration before you talk to the customs officer. (be supposed)

2) If your luggage _____more than 30 kg, you have to pay extra. (weigh)

3) The VAT is not raised when the goods_____and when the goods are designed directly for re-export. (be imported)

4) If the payment of services is made by compensatory goods, then those goods imported for processing _____by VAT. (be levied)

VAT – value added tax (НДС)

8.4.2 Punctuate the following text:

Anti-Drug Alliance

Rostov Airport staff have joined the fight against drug smuggling sealing an alliance with Customs the airport authorities joined the battle against drugs when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Customs formally recognizing the need for close co-operation between the two organizations

Rostov Airport is the third airport in Russia to enter into the anti-drug alliance with Customs after

Moscow and St. Petersburg more flights and a greater number of passengers require increased vigilance by all parties and greater awareness of the potential for drug smuggling to prevent additional expense and delays to the airport and its customers the Memorandum will enable improved targeting of high-risk traffic missing delay and inconveniences to legitimate trade and transport airport staff as well as staff from other agencies and organizations working with aircraft and cargo operations will have increased awareness of drug smuggling and may help increase detection rates the airport will also be advised by Customs on how it can prevent its facilities being used by drug smugglers security and control procedures will be regularly reviewed to minimize unauthorized access to airport premises equipment and cargo shipment.

8.4.3 Find the synonyms for the verbs from the box given below:

improve, involve, secure, propose, attain, ensure

1) intend, mean, be about; 2) ameliorate, amend, better, make better; 3) envelop, enfold; 4) guard, protect; 5) reach; 6) assure, guarantee

8.5 Written Translation

Divide into 2 groups:

Group 1. Translate the text C in written form. (500symbols)

Group II. Translate the text D in written form. (500symbols)

Time limit – 30 minutes

Text C

Customs Role In The International Trade

Planning for any international movement must take into account, at the very earliest moment, the arrangements for dealing with customs activities, whether in this country, or overseas.

The Customs' role embodies that of statistician, policeman and tax collector all in the one function, and therefore plans must be made in advance to ensure that the correct information is available on the documents, the correct laws are complied with, and, finally, that funds are available to pay any taxes due.

Text D

Customs Procedure Codes Are Bound To Be Changed

Traditionally, goods being imported or exported have been cleared at the port of departure or arrival. This seems bound to change as Customs are already actively encouraging shippers to arrange clearance inland at their own premises. Plans announced also include the greater use of customs warehousing to delay the payment of duty and VAT until the very last moment, thereby improving cashflow and business planning. Customs procedure codes and the rules which govern them also seem certain to be relaxed, and made more flexible.

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